Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has issued a clarion call for Southern African Development Community (SADC) journalists to exercise greater responsibility and precision when reporting on migration. Speaking at the 31st SADC Media Awards Regional Adjudication Committee meeting, Morolong warned that the proliferation of misinformation and the reliance on harmful stereotypes pose a significant threat to social cohesion across the region. He emphasized that as the Southern African landscape continues to grapple with the complex dynamics of movement, the media serves as a critical guardian of public perception, tasked with the duty to provide balanced and factual narratives rather than fueling hostility.
The Deputy Minister’s address underscored that migration is not merely a political grievance but a multifaceted issue that has historically underpinned the economic development, skills transfer, and cultural exchange of Southern Africa. Morolong advocated for a balanced approach, balancing the necessity for orderly, legal, and humane migration management with the promotion of regional unity. He urged communicators to view their roles as essential for the advancement of a stable and prosperous SADC, noting that the objective is to ensure that the movement of people contributes positively to the region’s shared developmental goals rather than becoming a source of fragmentation.
Morolong’s appeal for responsible journalism comes at a particularly volatile time in South Africa, where anti-migrant sentiment has surged. Recent months have seen various community-led organizations and groups stage protests demanding the removal of undocumented foreign nationals, often issuing arbitrary “deadlines” for foreigners to vacate the country. These tensions have placed immense pressure on government structures and civil society, prompting warnings from cabinet officials that such exclusionary violence and xenophobic rhetoric risk devastating the national economy—specifically threatening the tourism sector—and undermining the regional integration efforts that SADC strives to maintain.
Central to the discussion was the enduring importance of the SADC Media Awards, established in 1996 as a vehicle to champion regional cooperation, integration, and community building. With 11 of the 16 SADC member states participating in the latest adjudication round, the awards remain a cornerstone in the effort to make regional policy and progress accessible to the average citizen. Morolong stressed that if a region fails to articulate its own narrative, it leaves a vacuum where its priorities are easily misunderstood or sidelined by external actors. By recognizing excellence in journalism, the SADC hopes to keep the focus on the human stories that bring high-level political commitments to life.
Building on these sentiments, Barbara Lopi, Head of the Communication and Public Relations Unit at the SADC Secretariat, emphasized that regional progress is often invisible to the public without a dedicated and unified communication strategy. She called for deeper collaboration between national governments, SADC officials, and media coordinators to ensure that the bloc’s achievements are communicated with clarity and inclusivity. Lopi argued that unless member states collectively “shine a spotlight” on the regional impacts of SADC initiatives, the tangible benefits of integration will remain obscured, potentially diminishing the perceived value of regional unity.
As the adjudication process nears its conclusion, all eyes are turned toward the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, which is set to take place in Durban from 16 to 17 August. It is at this high-profile gathering that the winners of the media awards will be unveiled, serving as a testament to the journalists who have most effectively documented the regional milestones, including the legacy of Southern Africa’s liberation, for future generations. Through this platform, the SADC hopes to reinforce the message that responsible, informed storytelling remains the most effective tool in navigating the region’s challenges and fostering a culture of tolerance and prosperity.